Pies are premiers

The colliwobbles are over and hordes of roaming diehards Magpie supporters stand above us claiming bragging rights that will be heartily articulated for at least the next 12 months.

In the sequel to last week’s dramatic tied grand final, Collingwood came out firing from the get-go Saturday, playing with the intensity and defensive pressure that has helped them carve up opponents all season.

It is a trait that coach Mick Malthouse is legendary for drilling into sides – military-like discipline and undying commitment to the contest – and this intent was made clear in the opening minutes of the match.

Heath Shaw’s lunging goal line smother on Nick Riewoldt as he ran into an open goal shortly after the opening bounce was the first of a relentless series of selfless Collingwood defensive acts that unnerved the Saints and left them in the midst.

From there, the Pies amassed a lead similar to last week but no room was allowed in the second half for St Kilda to work their way back as they did in the previous contest.

Once again Nick Maxwell and Dale Thomas gave the Pies sensational accountability and rebound out of the backline, as did Harry O’Brien.

Norm Smith medalist Scott Pendlebury carved up the Saints through the middle, while last week’s winner, Lenny Hayse, was well held by former teammate Luke Ball.

But perhaps most impressive of all was Collingwood’s most famous fan, Joffa, dressed in a more fittingly bogan gold sequin shirt that better optimized the sole of the club than his fancy white suit last week.

Surrounded by disciples, Joffa was celebrating early in the second half as Collingwood ran St Kilda into the ground and then nailed the point home with a spectacular cross body snap from Alan Didak.

Club president Eddie Maguire was in tears at the final siren as the mass of the Collingwood faithful joined together in their first title in the last twenty years.

They now sit just one premiership behind Carlton and Essendon, with their 15th beer-stained Cup safely locked up somewhere in the heartland.